Smethwick party stab victim nearly did not go
A friend had tried to convince stab victim Ben Morutare not to go to a party on the night he was killed, a court has heard.
Sixteen-year-old Ben, from Coalpool, Walsall, died hours after being stabbed in the leg outside a Smethwick club when violence broke out at a party on July 28 last year.
One of Ben's friends, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told police in an interview he said to Ben there was 'no point' in going to the party at Smethwick Old Guards and Comrades Club because it was too far.
In the interview, which was played to Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday, the friend said: "Ben was the one stressing to go the most, he was the one that knew the people. I'm saying there's no point going, think about how far it is, it's in the middle of Birmingham."
He said that later in the night there was a fight and everyone was pushed outside the club.
He told the police interviewer that he was attacked, and said someone swung a 'big, shiny' knife at him. He was knocked unconscious.
During the trial yesterday the youngster was questioned via videolink by defence barrister Meyrick Williams, who asked why he and Ben didn't leave the party when they heard there was trouble. The youngster said they tried calling for a taxi.
Andy Ly, 18, of Fulmer Walk, and Omar Robinson, 19, of Rann Close, both Ladywood, deny murder.
They also deny violent disorder along with Jordan Campbell, 18, of Portland Road, Edgbaston; Kwamae Phillips, 18, of Gillott Road, Edgbaston; Tahj Mills, 18, of Waterside Street, West Bromwich; Tobias Blake, 20, of Kelsall Croft, Ladywood, and Aaron Parkins, 19, whose address cannot be reported for legal reasons.
The trial continues.
